Thinking about buying first handgun
03-09-2010, 04:59 PM
#32
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It's not just the size of the hole a round leaves, it's all about the kinetic energy when the bullet hits the intended target. For defense, the .45 has just a lil' more oomph than a 9mm. 
I'm not knocking the 9mm, I have friends that shoot them and I wouldn't want to take a hit from one, but personally I'm going with the .45.
I second the be cautious about taurus. I've heard they've gotten better, but I don't know if I'd trust one if my life hung on the line.
I'm not knocking the 9mm, I have friends that shoot them and I wouldn't want to take a hit from one, but personally I'm going with the .45.
I second the be cautious about taurus. I've heard they've gotten better, but I don't know if I'd trust one if my life hung on the line.
03-09-2010, 05:17 PM
#33
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I thought you wanted to spend around $500.00 lol. hydrashocks in 9mm I hear are a pretty good man stopper, I'm a fan of the .45 acp. Go out to your local range and rent a couple pistols for the day, shoot them in whatever caliber you are intrested in and you can get a feeling of what you like or dislike. I'm waiting myself to order a rock island armory G.I. spec 1911 maybe next month when I get my tax return.
03-09-2010, 05:40 PM
#35
Stick with 9mm or .40 cal and go test out a bunch. See what you like and what is in your price range and go from there. I bought a Glock the day I turned 21 and hated it despite being told by everyone it was the best thing ever. I had a Taurus Mil Pro for a while and liked it. I currently carry a Smith and Wesson M&P and a Springfield XD both in .40 cal and love them both.
03-09-2010, 08:02 PM
#38
XD 40 SC is what I carry, two passive safetys, carry it with one in the hole, if **** hits the fan its point and shoot no safetys to mess with but nearly impossible to shoot without meaning to.
40cal has less recoil and will have a better follow up shot recovery if need be. People will say 45 all day long but fact of the matter is look at what everyone carries that does this for a living very rarely will you see someone carry a 45. 40s are the new thing
40cal has less recoil and will have a better follow up shot recovery if need be. People will say 45 all day long but fact of the matter is look at what everyone carries that does this for a living very rarely will you see someone carry a 45. 40s are the new thing
03-09-2010, 08:27 PM
#39
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In order of my preference:
9mm = Glock, HK*, M&P, Sig*, Beretta
.40S&W = HK*, M&P, Sig*, Glock
.45ACP = HK*, M&P, Sig*, 1911
*Denotes DAO, DAK, or LEM
Although I do own a couple of XDs, they are a pain to work on and I have had quite a few trigger springs and firing pins break. The most recent of which happened during the 3rd stage of my last IPSC match.
For a first gun, there really is none better than a Glock 19. 9mm is plenty capable of putting a man down as long as you do your part, which is the case with all handgun calibers. Contrary to popular belief, a .45ACP will not stop a person with 1 shot, unless it is to the head, and even then there are a lot of factors involved.
9mm is still relatively inexpensive to shoot, with a 50rd box of FMJ costing around $9, vs the $15+ for .40 or .45. I say get the glock, put a lot of rounds downrange, and get proficient.
9mm = Glock, HK*, M&P, Sig*, Beretta
.40S&W = HK*, M&P, Sig*, Glock
.45ACP = HK*, M&P, Sig*, 1911
*Denotes DAO, DAK, or LEM
Although I do own a couple of XDs, they are a pain to work on and I have had quite a few trigger springs and firing pins break. The most recent of which happened during the 3rd stage of my last IPSC match.
For a first gun, there really is none better than a Glock 19. 9mm is plenty capable of putting a man down as long as you do your part, which is the case with all handgun calibers. Contrary to popular belief, a .45ACP will not stop a person with 1 shot, unless it is to the head, and even then there are a lot of factors involved.
9mm is still relatively inexpensive to shoot, with a 50rd box of FMJ costing around $9, vs the $15+ for .40 or .45. I say get the glock, put a lot of rounds downrange, and get proficient.